ILLICIT alcohol on sale in Coventry off-licences has been seized by customs officers.

A total of 1,639 bottles of spirits and almost 14,000 cans of lager were taken from four outlets in the city during a two-day crackdown.

It is understood the alcohol should have been for the export market but instead remained in the country, avoiding excise and duty.

If undetected, the illegal haul could have resulted in a £13,500 loss to the public purse.

Jon Fisher, detection manager for HM Revenue and Customs said: "We hope this sends out a clear message that we have active and effective teams working in and around the Coventry area and operate a zero tolerance policy against those flouting the law.

"We are keen to work closely with local people and communities in the fight against crime and would encourage anyone with information relating to illegally imported goods or tax evasion and fraud to contact us."

The owners of the offending off-licences now face financial penalties, which could be a minimum of a £250 fine. Small quantities of wine and counterfeit cigarettes were also seized during the operation in the city, which took place last Thursday and Friday.

A spokeswoman for Revenue and Customs added: "The illegal trade has a detrimental impact on legitimate traders and all of us, as the tax has not been paid.

"This alcohol should have been exported but it was diverted on route. The retailers are then selling it but the tax hasn't been paid.

"We are now going to be issuing financial penalty notices. At the moment we haven't made any arrests."